STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York State Senate Secretary Angelo "Butch" Aponte of West Brighton, whose two-year tenure coincided with one of the most tumultuous times in Albany, has retired.

"My first day of retirement — freedom!" quipped Aponte, 64, still in the state capital today to tie up loose ends.

Aponte, whom admirers credited with keeping the Senate functioning during an unprecedented coup, and whom detractors criticized for over-stepping his authority, said the timing felt right.

"I made the decision before the election," said Aponte, a former city and state commissioner and one-time CSI administrator. "After 32 years of public service, you get that feeling when it's time."

But his departure from a top spot in the Democratic state Senate — the job paid $190,000 — could have been predicted: The Democrats’ control of the body hangs in the balance, with Republicans hoping to capture a seat in Nassau County, still in dispute from last month’s election, to regain the majority.

Aponte said allegations of bid-rigging emanating from Senate leadership offices, in the Aqueduct Race Track casino scandal, was not a factor in him deciding to pack it in.

"There was no violation of any regulations or laws or ethics," said Aponte. "You had a hysterical inspector general."

Senate leader John Sampson praised Aponte for helping to "modernize" the body through the use of new technology and for "guiding the application of new Senate rules to ensure more bipartisan operations."

Aponte expressed hope that his successor would continue to enhance the state Senate’s communication with the electorate through the use of interactive web sites, something he said was virtually non-existent prior to his tenure.

He also said that despite the focus on the state’s “dysfunction” over the last two years, “we got a lot accomplished,” including the institution of a family leave policy for state employees and an employee assistance program.

During last year’s Senate coup, which shifted control from Democrats to the GOP and back again, Aponte found himself in the middle of the scrum as the literal keeper of the keys to Senate chambers — opening and closing the doors at will, Republicans complained.

In recalling that time today, Aponte said: “I kept it stable. I settled everyone down. I allowed negotiations to take place. It was my job to keep the chamber secure.”

Aponte, a former business executive, consultant and one-time public school teacher, served as vice president for finance and administration at the College of Staten Island prior to his Senate position. He previously was a commissioner of the state Division of Housing and commissioner of the city Department of Consumer Affairs.

Aponte said he has no immediate plans expect to spend time with his family over the holidays, including his six grandchildren.

“I’ll take a lay of the land and see how busy retired people can be,” said Aponte. “I’m a Staten Islander. I’m not going anywhere.”

In thanking Aponte, Sampson called him “a true Staten Islander at heart — tough, fair and always ready to roll up his sleeves to help others.”